Endoscope Circuit Board Assembly

ABSTRACT

There is provided herein a circuit board assembly for a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope comprising a camera circuit board configured to carry at least one front-pointing camera and at least one side-pointing camera, a flexible illuminator circuit board comprising at least one foldable panel and configured to carry at least one front illuminator for essentially illuminating the field of view (FOV) of the front-pointing camera and at least one side illuminator for essentially illuminating the FOV of the side-pointing camera.

REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS

Priority is claimed to U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No.61/449,741, filed on Mar. 7, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to an endoscope circuit boardassembly.

BACKGROUND

Endoscopes have attained great acceptance within the medical community,since they provide a means for performing procedures with minimalpatient trauma, while enabling the physician to view the internalanatomy of the patient. Over the years, numerous endoscopes have beendeveloped and categorized according to specific applications, such ascystoscopy, colonoscopy, laparoscopy, upper GI endoscopy and others.Endoscopes may be inserted into the body's natural orifices or throughan incision in the skin.

An endoscope is usually an elongated tubular shaft, rigid or flexible,having a video camera or a fiber optic lens assembly at its distal end.The shaft is connected to a handle, which sometimes includes an ocularfor direct viewing. Viewing is also usually possible via an externalscreen. Various surgical tools may be inserted through a working channelin the endoscope for performing different surgical procedures.

Endoscopes, such as colonoscopes, that are currently being used,typically have a front camera for viewing the internal organ, such asthe colon, an illuminator, a fluid injector for cleaning the camera lensand sometimes also the illuminator and a working channel for insertionof surgical tools, for example, for removing polyps found in the colon.Often, endoscopes also have fluid injectors (“jet”) for cleaning a bodycavity, such as the colon, into which they are inserted. Theilluminators commonly used are fiber optics which transmits light,generated remotely, to the endoscope tip section. The use oflight-emitting diodes (LEDs) for illumination is also known.

One of the biggest challenges facing endoscope manufacturers is the needto miniaturize and pack a number of elements into the endoscope's tip inorder to support large number of endoscope functions including operationof medical tools, imaging capabilities, field of view illumination,fluid injection, and other functions.

There is thus a need in the art for endoscopes, such as colonoscopies,that allow efficient packing of endoscope's internal parts, whilemaintaining endoscopes functions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described andillustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods, which aremeant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope.

There is provided herein, according to some embodiments of the inventiona circuit board assembly for a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope,the assembly comprising: a camera circuit board configured to carry atleast one front-pointing camera and at least one side-pointing camera; aflexible illuminator circuit board comprising at least one foldablepanel and configured to carry at least one front illuminator foressentially illuminating the field of view (FOV) of the front-pointingcamera and at least one side illuminator for essentially illuminatingthe FOV of the side-pointing camera.

In some embodiments, the assembly further comprises one or more circuitboard holders configured to support the flexible illuminator circuitboard, the camera circuit board or both.

In some embodiments, the circuit board holder comprises at least oneniche configured to accommodate at least one of the illuminators, and/orat least one of the cameras.

In some embodiments, the camera circuit board is a foldable cameracircuit board. In some embodiments, the camera circuit board isconfigured to carry a front-pointing camera and two side-pointingcameras. In some embodiments, each of the side-pointing cameras isdirected to opposing sides.

In some embodiments, each of the side-pointing cameras is essentiallyperpendicular to the front pointing camera surface.

There is further provided herein, according to some embodiments of theinvention a tip section for a multi-camera endoscope, the tip sectioncomprising: at least one front-pointing camera and at least one frontilluminator associated therewith; at least one side-pointing camera andat least one side illuminator associated therewith; and a circuit boardassembly comprising: a camera circuit board configured to carry at leastone front-pointing camera and at least one side-pointing camera; and aflexible illuminator circuit board comprising at least one foldablepanel and configured to carry at least one front illuminator and atleast one side illuminator.

In some embodiments, the tip section further comprises fluid channelingcomponent.

In some embodiments, the fluid channeling component comprises: at leastone front fluid injector configured for cleaning at least onefront-pointing camera and/or at least one of front illuminator; at leastone fluid injector configured for cleaning at least one side-pointingcamera and/or at least one of side illuminator; and a front workingchannel configured for insertion of a medical tool.

In some embodiments, the tip section comprises two side-pointingcameras. In some embodiments, each of two side-pointing cameras isdirected to opposing sides.

In some embodiments, each of side-pointing cameras is essentiallyperpendicular to the front pointing camera surface. In some embodiments,at least one front and side illuminators comprises a discreteilluminator. In some embodiments, the discrete illuminator comprises alight-emitting diode (LED).

In some embodiments, at least one of the front and side illuminators isconfigured to emit white light. In some embodiments, at least one of thefront and side illuminators is configured to emit ultraviolet light. Insome embodiments, at least one of the front and side illuminators isconfigured to emit infrared light. In some embodiments, at least one ofthe front and side illuminators is configured to emit near-infraredlight. In some embodiments, the front and side illuminators areconfigured to emit light in different wavelengths.

In some embodiments, the front-pointing camera and the side-pointingcamera independently comprise a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) or aComplementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.

In some embodiments, the front and side fluid injectors are connected toa same fluid supply channel. In some embodiments, the endoscope is acolonoscope. In some embodiments, fields of view of the front-pointingcamera and side-pointing camera are at least partially overlapping.

In some embodiments, at least one of the front and side pointing camerascomprises a lens assembly providing a field of view of 90 degrees ormore.

In some embodiments, at least one of the front and side pointing camerascomprises a lens assembly providing a field of view of 120 degrees ormore.

In some embodiments, at least one of the front and side pointing camerascomprises a lens assembly providing a focal length of approximately3-100 millimeters.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above,further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to thefigures and by study of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. Dimensionsof components and features shown in the figures are generally chosen forconvenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown toscale. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed hereinare to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. The figuresare listed below.

FIG. 1A shows an exploded view of a tip section of an endoscope assemblyaccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 1B shows an exploded view of a tip section of an endoscope assemblyaccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a fluid channeling component of anendoscope assembly according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of a fluid channeling component of anendoscope assembly according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of a fluid channeling component of anendoscope assembly according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3A shows an exploded view of a tip section of a foldable electroniccircuit board according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3B shows an exploded view of a tip section of a foldable electroniccircuit board according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3C shows an exploded view of a tip section of a foldable electroniccircuit board according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3D shows an perspective view of a tip section of a foldableelectronic circuit board according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a camera circuit board according tosome embodiments;

FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of a camera circuit board according tosome embodiments;

FIG. 4C shows a perspective view of a camera circuit board according tosome embodiments;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a flexible illumination circuit boardaccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of a foldable electronic circuit boardaccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 6B shows a perspective view of a foldable electronic circuit boardaccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 6C shows a perspective view of a foldable electronic circuit boardaccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 6D shows a perspective view of a foldable electronic circuit boardaccording to some embodiments; and

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an endoscope tip section according tosome embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A and 1B, which show exploded views of atip section 200 of an endoscope assembly 100 according to an embodiment.

An aspect of some embodiments relates to an endoscope assembly 100having a tip section 200 equipped with two or more front workingchannels.

It is noted that the term “endoscope” as mentioned to herein may referparticularly to a colonoscope, according to some embodiments, but is notlimited only to colonoscopes. The term “endoscope” may refer to anyinstrument used to examine the interior of a hollow organ or cavity ofthe body.

Tip section 200 may be turnable by way of flexible shaft (not shown)which may also be referred to as a bending section, for example avertebra mechanism.

According to some embodiments, tip section 200 of an endoscope mayinclude a tip cover 300, a foldable electronic circuit board 400 and afluid channeling component 600.

It is noted that the fluid channeling component (fluid channelingcomponent 600) depicted in FIGS. 1A-2C is only a non limiting example ofa possible fluid channeling component. Any fluid channeling components(such as fluid channeling component 900 depicted in FIG. 7) or any otherfluid channel and/or tubing system(s) are also covered under the scopeof this invention.

Tip cover 300 may be configured to fit over the inner parts of the tipsection 200 including foldable electronic circuit board 400 and fluidchanneling component 600 and to provide protection to the internalcomponents in the inner parts.

Tip cover 300 may include a front panel 320 having a front opticalassembly 256 a of front-pointing camera 116 a. Front optical assembly256 a may include a plurality of lenses, static or movable, which mayprovide a field of view of up to essentially 180 degrees. Front opticalassembly 256 a may provide a focal length of up to about 100millimeters.

Optical axis of front-pointing camera 116 a may be essentially directedalong the long dimension of the endoscope. However, since front-pointingcamera 116 a is typically a wide angle camera, its field of view mayinclude viewing directions at large angles to its optical axis.Additionally, front panel 320 may include optical windows 242 a and 242b of illuminators 240 a and 240 b, respectively. It should be noted thatnumber of illumination sources used for illumination of the field ofview may vary.

In addition, front panel 320 may include a working channel opening 340 aof a working channel 640 a, and a second working channel opening 340 bof a second working channel 640 b which are further discussed below.

Jet channel opening 344 of jet channel 644 may also be located on frontpanel 320 of tip cover 300. Jet channel 644 may be configured forproviding high-pressure jet of fluid such as water or saline forcleaning the walls of the body cavity.

Also located on front panel 320 of tip cover 300 is injector opening 346of injector channel 646 having a nozzle 348 aimed at front opticalassembly 256 a.

Injector channel 646 may be fed by a fluid or fluid blend such as waterand/or gas and configured for injecting fluid blend (liquid and/or gas)to wash contaminants such as blood, feces and other debris from frontoptical assembly 256 a of front-pointing camera 116 a. In addition, thefluid blend may include gas, which may be used for inflating a bodycavity.

Optionally, injector channel 646 may be configured for cleaning frontoptical assembly 256 a and one, two or all of optical windows 242 a and242 b.

A sidewall 362 a of tip cover 300 may include an optical assembly 256 bfor side-pointing camera 116 b, which may be similar to front opticalassembly 256 a and optical windows 252 a and 252 b of illuminators 250 aand 250 b for side-pointing camera 116 b.

A sidewall 362 b of tip cover 300, which may be similar to sidewall 362a and located on the opposite side of tip cover 300, may include anoptical assembly 256 c for side-pointing camera 116 c, which may besimilar to front optical assembly 256 a and optical windows 262 a and262 b of illuminators 260 a and 260 b for side-pointing camera 116 b.

Optical axis of side-pointing cameras 116 b and 116 c may be essentiallydirected perpendicular to the long dimension of the endoscope. However,since side-pointing cameras 116 b and 116 c are typically a wide anglecamera, its field of view may include viewing directions at large anglesto its optical axis.

According to some embodiments, side injector channels 666 a and 666 bmay be configured to supply fluids for cleaning any of the tip elements(such as any optical assembly, windows, illuminators, and otherelements). Side injectors opening 266 a and 266 b of side injectorchannels 666 a and 666 b may be located at distal end of sidewalls 362 aand 362 b respectively. Nozzle covers 267 a and 267 b may be configuredto fit side injectors opening 266 a and 266 b.

Additionally, nozzle covers 267 a and 267 b may include nozzles 268 aand 268 b which may be aimed at side optical assembly 256 b and 256 cand configured for injecting a fluid or fluid blend to wash contaminantssuch as blood, feces and other debris from side optical assembly 256 band 256 c of side-pointing camera 116 b and 116 c. Optionally, nozzles268 a and 268 b may be configured for cleaning side optical assembly 256b and 256 c and optical windows 252 a, 252 b, 262 b and/or 262 b.

Optionally, injector channel 646 and side injector channels 666 a and666 b may be fed from same channel.

It is noted that according to some embodiments, the endoscope tip mayinclude more than one optical window and illuminators on the side andmore than one optical window and illuminators on the front.

Sidewalls 362 a and 362 b may have a form of an essentially flatsurface, which assists in directing the cleaning fluid injected frominjector channel 666 a and 666 b towards side optical assembly 256 b and256 c and optical windows 252 a, 252 b, 262 a and/or 262 b. Lack of suchflat surface may result in dripping of the cleaning fluid along thecurved surface of tip section 200 of the endoscope without performingthe desired cleaning action.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, which show perspectiveviews of a fluid channeling component 600 of an endoscope assembly 100according to an embodiment.

According to some embodiments, fluid channeling component 600 may beconfigured as a separate component from foldable electronic circuitboard 400 (FIG. 1). This configuration may be adapted to separate thefluid channels and working channels 640 a and 640 b, which are locatedin fluid channeling component 600 from the sensitive electronic andoptical parts which may be located in the area of foldable electroniccircuit board 400 (FIG. 1).

According to some embodiments, fluid channeling component 600 mayinclude a proximal fluid channeling section 602 which may have anessentially cylindrical shape, a primary distal channeling section 604 aand a secondary distal channeling section 604 b. Primary distal fluidchanneling section 604 a and secondary distal channeling section 604 bmay partially continue the cylindrical shape of proximal fluidchanneling section 602 and may have a shape of a partial cylinder(optionally elongated partial cylinder). Primary distal fluid channelingsection 604 a and secondary distal channeling section 604 b may formsolely two parallel fractions of the cylinder (along the height axis ofthe cylinder), wherein the third fraction of the cylinder (along theheight axis of the cylinder) is missing. Primary distal fluid channelingsection 604 a and secondary distal channeling section 604 b may beintegrally formed as a unitary block with proximal fluid channelingsection 602. The height of primary distal fluid channeling section 604 aand secondary distal channeling section 604 b may by higher than that ofproximal fluid channeling section 602. In the case of primary distalfluid channeling section 604 a and secondary distal channeling section604 b may have the shape of the partial cylinder (for example, partialcylinder having only a fraction of a cylinder shape along one side ofthe height axis) and provide a space to accommodate foldable electroniccircuit board 400 (FIG. 1).

Proximal fluid channeling section 602 may include integrated screw nuts606 a and 606 b, which may be configured for securing tip section 200(FIG. 1) to the endoscope shaft (not shown).

Primary distal fluid channeling section 604 a and secondary distalchanneling section 604 b may include working channels 640 a and 640 bhaving a working channel openings 340 a, 340 b which may be configuredfor insertion of a medical (such as a surgical) tool, for example, toremove, treat and/or extract a sample of the object of interest found inthe colon or its entirety for biopsy.

When endoscope assembly 100 is used within a body cavity such as acolon, the endoscope operator advances the endoscope assembly 100 whileviewing images and/or video streams transmitted by front-pointing camera116 a and two side-pointing cameras 116 b, 116 c. When a polyp or otherpathology is discovered on a wall of colon, the endoscope operator mayinsert one or more medical tools (not shown) through working channel 640a and/or second working channel 640 b to remove, treat and/or extract asample of the polyp or its entirety for biopsy.

Therefore, it may be beneficial if the endoscope tip section includes asecond working channel, which enables the endoscope's operator to use anadditional medical tool, which may be threaded through the secondworking channel.

A second working channel, such as second working channel 640 b allowsthe performance of medical procedures (for example more complexprocedures) using two medical tools. Second working channel 640 bprovides the endoscope operator a better access to the object ofinterest and greater flexibility with operating the medical tools whileat the same time viewing the procedure by the front pointing camera 116a (FIG. 1). This substantially increases the performance of theendoscope. Moreover, the two front working channels may be usedsimultaneously for medical procedures. An example of such procedure mayinclude surgery that requires stitching which can more easily beperformed using two tools from two channels.

Advantageously, the configuration of foldable electronic circuit board400 enables having a slim and compact design improves the performance ofthe endoscope (particularly, the colonoscope) by allowing theincorporation of additional elements to endoscope tip section 300, forexample having an endoscope tip section with additional working channel,which may be used for threading a second medical tool.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, which show explodedviews of a foldable electronic circuit board 400 of an endoscopeassembly 100 according to an embodiment.

According to some embodiments, foldable electronic circuit board 400 mayhave several internal parts including a camera circuit board 440, aflexible illumination circuit board 420, a bottom circuit board holder460 and a front circuit board holder 462.

The internal parts of foldable electronic circuit board 400 may beconfigured to be assembled, connected or attached together into acondensed structure having a slim and compact design.

Additionally, it should be noted that the internal parts of foldableelectronic circuit board 400 may be electrically connected and may beconfigured to share resources as electrical power and electricalsignals.

Camera circuit board 440 may be configured to carry a front-pointingcamera 116 a and two side-pointing cameras 116 b, 116 c which may besimilar to front-pointing camera 116 a and may include a Charge CoupledDevice (CCD) or a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) imagesensor.

According to some embodiments, side-pointing cameras 116 b and 116 c maybe installed such that their field of views are substantially opposing.However, different configurations and number of side-pointing camerasare possible within the general scope of the current invention.

Flexible illumination circuit board 420, which may be formed as aflexible unitary piece of a PCB layer, may include two main sections 424a and 424 b, a front foldable panel 422 a and four side foldable panels422 b, 422 c, 422 d, 422 e.

When flexible illumination circuit board 420 is in a foldedconfiguration, front foldable panel 422 a and four side foldable panels422 b, 422 c, 422 d, 422 e may be configured to fold downwards forming aright angle with two main sections 424 a and 424 b.

Front foldable panel 422 a, may be configured to carry frontilluminators 240 a, 240 b, which may be associated with front-pointingcamera 116 a and positioned to essentially illuminate front-pointingcamera's 116 a fields of view.

When front foldable panel 422 a is in a folded configuration, it mayform a right angle with main sections 424 a and 424 b such that it facesforwards, essentially at the same direction of front-pointing camera's116 a and therefore enables front illuminators 240 a, 240 b, to face thesame direction as front-pointing camera 116 a and essentially illuminatefront-pointing camera's 116 a field of view.

Side foldable panels 422 b, 422 c may be configured to carry sideilluminators 250 a, 250 b respectively, which may be associated withside-pointing camera 116 b and positioned to essentially illuminateside-pointing camera's 116 b fields of view.

When side foldable panels 422 b, 422 c are in a folded configuration,side foldable panels 422 b, 422 c may be configured to form a rightangle with main section 424 a such that it faces sideways, essentiallyat the same direction of side-pointing camera 116 b and thereforeenables side illuminators 250 a, 250 b, to face the same direction asside-pointing camera 116 b and essentially illuminate side-pointingcamera's 116 b field of view.

Side foldable panels 422 d, 422 e may be configured to carry sideilluminators 260 a, 260 b respectively, which may be associated withside-pointing camera 116 c and positioned to essentially illuminateside-pointing camera's 116 c fields of view.

When side foldable panels 422 d, 422 e are in a folded configuration,side foldable panels 422 d, 422 e may be configured to form a rightangle with main section 424 b such that it faces sideways, essentiallyat the same direction of side-pointing camera 116 c and thereforeenables side illuminators 260 a, 260 b, to face the same direction asside-pointing camera 116 c and essentially illuminate side-pointingcamera's 116 c field of view.

Front illuminators 240 a, 240 b and side illuminators 250 a, 250 b, 260a and 260 b may optionally be discrete illuminators and may include alight-emitting diode (LED), which may be a white light LED, an infraredlight LED, a near infrared light LED, an ultraviolet light LED or anyother LED.

The term “discrete”, concerning discrete illuminator, may refer to anillumination source, which generates light internally—in contrast to anon-discrete illuminator, which may be, for example, a fiber opticmerely transmitting light generated remotely.

Bottom circuit board holder 460 may be configured to hold and supportflexible illumination circuit board 420 in its desired foldedconfiguration and secure camera circuit board 440 including sidepointing cameras 116 b and 116 c and their corresponding illuminators inplace.

Bottom circuit board holder 460 may include a bottom portion 462 and twoside portions 464 a and 464 b formed as a unitary piece of rigidmaterial, such as brass, stainless steel, aluminum or any othermaterial.

Each of side portions 464 a and 464 b may be perpendicularly connectedto bottom portion 462 at each opposite side and may have an apertureconfigured to fit side pointing cameras 116 b and 116 c.

Front circuit board holder 462 may be configured work in conjunctionwith bottom circuit board holder 460 and hold and support flexibleillumination circuit board 420 in its desired folded configuration andsecure camera circuit board 440 including front pointing camera 116 aand its corresponding illuminator in place.

Bottom circuit board holder 460 may be formed as a unitary piece ofrigid material, such as brass, stainless steel, aluminum or any othermaterial.

The use of metal for the construction of bottom circuit board holder 460and front circuit board holder 462 may improve electric conductivity andallow efficient heat dissipation. According to some embodiments, bottomcircuit board holder 460 and front circuit board holder 462 may be usedas a heat sink for some or all of the electronic components locatedwithin foldable electronic circuit board 400, particularly illuminators(such as front illuminators 240 a, 240 b and side illuminators 250 a,250 b, 260 a and 260 b) and reduce overall temperature of the endoscopetip section 200 (FIG. 1). This may solve or at least mitigate a majorproblem of raised temperatures of endoscope tip and/or any of itscomponents, particularly when using LED illuminators.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, which show a perspectiveview of a camera circuit board 770 of an endoscope assembly 800according to an embodiment.

According to some embodiments, foldable electronic circuit board 700 mayhave several internal parts including: a camera circuit board 770, aflexible illumination circuit board 720 and a circuit board holder 780.

The internal parts of foldable electronic circuit board 700 may beconfigured to be assembled, connected or attached together into acondensed structure having a slim and compact design.

Camera circuit board 770 which may be similar to camera circuit board440 (FIG. 3), may be configured to carry a front-pointing camera 716 aand two side-pointing cameras 716 b, 716 c which may be similar tofront-pointing camera 116 a (FIG. 1) and may include a Charge CoupledDevice (CCD) or a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) imagesensor.

According to some embodiments, side-pointing cameras 716 b and 716 c maybe installed such that their field of views are substantially opposing.However, different configurations and number of side-pointing camerasare possible within the general scope of the current invention.

A circuit board holder 780, which is further discussed below, may beconfigured to hold and support camera circuit board 770.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which shows a perspective view of aflexible illumination circuit board 720 of an endoscope assembly 800according to an embodiment.

Flexible illumination circuit board 720, which may be formed as a foldedunitary piece of a PCB layer, may include illumination circuit boardconnector 726, two main sections 724 a and 724 b, a front foldable panel722 a and four side foldable panels 722 b, 722 c, 722 d, 722 e.

It is noted that number of front and side foldable panels and associatednumber of front and side illuminators may vary.

When flexible illumination circuit board 720 is in a foldedconfiguration, front foldable panel 722 a and four side foldable panels722 b, 722 c, 722 d, 722 e may be configured to fold downwards forming aright angle with two main sections 724 a and 724 b.

Front foldable panel 722 a, may be configured to carry frontilluminators 740 a, 740 b and 740 c, which may be associated withfront-pointing camera 716 a (FIG. 4) and positioned to essentiallyilluminate front-pointing camera's 716 a (FIG. 4) fields of view.

When front foldable panel 722 a is in a folded configuration, it mayform a right angle with main sections 724 a and 724 b such that it facesforwards, essentially at the same direction of front-pointing camera's716 a (FIG. 4) and therefore enables front illuminators 740 a, 740 b and740 c, to face the same direction as front-pointing camera 716 a (FIG.4) and essentially illuminate front-pointing camera's 716 a (FIG. 4)field of view.

Side foldable panels 722 b, 722 c may be configured to carry sideilluminators 750 a, 750 b respectively, which may be associated withside-pointing camera 716 b (FIG. 4) and positioned to essentiallyilluminate side-pointing camera's 716 b (FIG. 4) fields of view.

When side foldable panels 722 b, 722 c are in a folded configuration,side foldable panels 722 b, 722 c may be configured to form a rightangle with main section 724 a such that it faces sideways, essentiallyat the same direction of side-pointing camera 716 b (FIG. 4) andtherefore enables side illuminators 750 a, 750 b, to face the samedirection as side-pointing camera 716 b (FIG. 4) and essentiallyilluminate side-pointing camera's 716 b (FIG. 4) field of view.

Side foldable panels 722 d, 722 e may be configured to carry sideilluminators 760 a, 760 b respectively, which may be associated withside-pointing camera 716 c (FIG. 4) and positioned to essentiallyilluminate side-pointing camera's 716 c fields of view.

When side foldable panels 722 d, 722 e are in a folded configuration,side foldable panels 722 d, 722 e may be configured to form a rightangle with main section 724 b such that it faces sideways, essentiallyat the same direction of side-pointing camera 716 c (FIG. 4) andtherefore enables side illuminators 760 a, 760 b, to face the samedirection as side-pointing camera 716 c (FIG. 4) and essentiallyilluminate side-pointing camera's 716 c (FIG. 4) field of view.

Front illuminators 740 a, 740 b and side illuminators 750 a, 750 b, 760a and 760 b may optionally be discrete illuminators and may include alight-emitting diode (LED), which may be a white light LED, an infraredlight LED, a near infrared light LED, an ultraviolet light LED or anyother LED.

Illumination circuit board connector 726 may be configured to connectflexible illumination circuit board 720 to a circuit board holder 780(FIG. 6).

Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D, which show aperspective view of a foldable electronic circuit board 700 of anendoscope assembly 800 according to an embodiment.

Circuit board holder 780 may be configured to hold and support flexibleillumination circuit board 720 in its desired folded configuration andsecure camera circuit board 770 including side pointing cameras 716 band 716 c and their corresponding illuminators in place.

Circuit board holder 780 may be formed as a unitary piece of rigidmaterial, such as brass, stainless steel, aluminum or any othermaterial.

The use of metal for the construction of circuit board holder 780 mayimprove electric conductivity and allow efficient heat dissipation.According to some embodiments, circuit board holder 780 may be used as aheat sink for some or all of the electronic components located withinfoldable electronic circuit board 700, particularly illuminators (suchas front illuminators 740 a, 740 b and side illuminators 750 a, 750 b,760 a and 760 b) and reduce overall temperature of the endoscope tipsection. This may solve or at least mitigate a major problem of raisedtemperatures of endoscope tip and/or any of its components, particularlywhen using LED illuminators.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which shows a perspective view of a tipsection 810 of an endoscope assembly 800 according to an embodiment.

According to some embodiments, fluid channeling component 900 may beconfigured as a separate component from foldable electronic circuitboard 700 (FIG. 6). This configuration may be adapted to separate thefluid channels and working channels 940 a, which is located in fluidchanneling component 900 from the sensitive electronic and optical partswhich may be located in the area of foldable electronic circuit board700 (FIG. 1).

According to some embodiments, fluid channeling component 900 mayinclude a proximal fluid channeling section 902, which may have anessentially cylindrical shape, a primary distal channeling section 904.Primary distal fluid channeling section 904 may partially continue thecylindrical shape of proximal fluid channeling section 902 and may havea shape of a partial cylinder (optionally elongated partial cylinder).Primary distal fluid channeling section 904 may form a fraction of thecylinder (along the height axis of the cylinder), wherein the otherfraction of the cylinder (along the height axis of the cylinder) ismissing. Primary distal fluid channeling section 904 may be integrallyformed as a unitary block with proximal fluid channeling section 902.The height of primary distal fluid channeling section 904 may by higherthan that of proximal fluid channeling section 902. In the case ofprimary distal fluid channeling section 904 may have the shape of thepartial cylinder (for example, partial cylinder having only a fractionof a cylinder shape along one side of the height axis) and provide aspace to accommodate foldable electronic circuit board 700 (FIG. 6).

Proximal fluid channeling section 902 may include integrated screw nuts906 b, which may be configured for securing tip section 810 to theendoscope shaft (not shown).

Primary distal fluid channeling section 904 may include working channels940 a which may be configured for insertion of a medical (such as asurgical) tool, for example, to remove, treat and/or extract a sample ofthe object of interest found in the colon or its entirety for biopsy.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussedabove, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications,permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is thereforeintended that the following appended claims and claims hereafterintroduced be interpreted to include all such modifications,permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their truespirit and scope.

In the description and claims of the application, each of the words“comprise” “include” and “have”, and forms thereof, are not necessarilylimited to members in a list with which the words may be associated.

1. A circuit board assembly for a tip section of a multi-cameraendoscope, the assembly comprising: a camera circuit board configured tocarry at least one front-pointing camera and at least one side-pointingcamera; a flexible illuminator circuit board comprising at least onefoldable panel and configured to carry at least one front illuminatorfor essentially illuminating the field of view (FOV) of thefront-pointing camera and at least one side illuminator for essentiallyilluminating the FOV of the side-pointing camera.
 2. The assemblyaccording to claim 1, further comprising one or more circuit boardholders configured to support said flexible illuminator circuit board,said camera circuit board or both.
 3. The assembly according to claim 2,wherein said circuit board holder comprises at least one nicheconfigured to accommodate at least one of said illuminators, and/or atleast one of said cameras.
 4. The assembly according to claim 1, whereinsaid camera circuit board is a foldable camera circuit board.
 5. Theassembly according to claim 1, wherein said camera circuit board isconfigured to carry a front-pointing camera and two side-pointingcameras.
 6. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein each of saidside-pointing cameras are directed to opposing sides.
 7. The assemblyaccording to claim 5, wherein each of said side-pointing cameras areessentially perpendicular to said front pointing camera surface.
 8. Atip section for a multi-camera endoscope the tip section comprising: atleast one front-pointing camera and at least one front illuminatorassociated therewith; at least one side-pointing camera and at least oneside illuminator associated therewith; and a circuit board assemblycomprising: a camera circuit board configured to carry said least onefront-pointing camera and said at least one side-pointing camera; and aflexible illuminator circuit board comprising at least one foldablepanel and configured to carry said at least one front illuminator andsaid at least one side illuminator.
 9. The tip section according toclaim 8, further comprising a fluid channeling component.
 10. The tipsection according to claim 9, wherein said fluid channeling componentcomprises: at least one front fluid injector configured for cleaningsaid at least one front-pointing camera and/or said at least one offront illuminator; at least one side fluid injector configured forcleaning said at least one side-pointing camera and/or said at least oneof side illuminator; and a front working channel configured forinsertion of a medical tool.
 11. The tip section according to claim 8,wherein said tip section comprises two side-pointing cameras.
 12. Thetip section according to claim 11, wherein each of said twoside-pointing cameras are directed to opposing sides.
 13. The tipsection according to claim 11, wherein each of said side-pointingcameras are essentially perpendicular to said front pointing camerasurface.
 14. The tip section according to claim 8, wherein said at leastone front and side illuminators comprises a discrete illuminator. 15.The tip section according to claim 14, wherein said discrete illuminatorcomprises a light-emitting diode (LED).
 16. The tip section according toclaim 8, wherein at least one of said front and side illuminators isconfigured to emit white light.
 17. The tip section according to claim8, wherein at least one of said front and side illuminators isconfigured to emit ultraviolet light.
 18. The tip section according toclaim 8, wherein at least one of said front and side illuminators isconfigured to emit infrared light.
 19. The tip section according toclaim 8, wherein at least one of said front and side illuminators isconfigured to emit near-infrared light.
 20. The tip section according toclaim 8, wherein said front and side illuminators are configured to emitlight in different wavelengths.
 21. (canceled)
 22. (canceled) 23.(canceled)
 24. (canceled)
 25. (canceled)
 26. (canceled)
 27. (canceled)